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Marshall University Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Marshall University Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 208 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
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L. R. from Oneonta, NY
(11/16/2005)
"Really nice small marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great attention to detail by all. The race director has mastered that nice personal touch that makes the small marathon so desirable. There were some not-so-scenic sections, but given that it was a relatively fast course, they didn't last long! Pit stops were more than adequate, and volunteers were enthusiastic, helpful, encouraging and fun! My only unpleasant experience was with the hotel--refused to give anyone a late check-out. Perhaps race officials can appeal to local businesses for more cooperation. Otherwise, a great time running and a really nice weekend visit to Huntington! Thanks for a wonderful experience!! | |
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T. P. from Suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
(11/15/2005)
"Plusses and Promise, But Some Kinks/Growing Pains" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Course is flat; weird course configuration and diminished scenery are the price paid for flatness. Marathon has the possibility of becoming a minor-star national race, if some things are added or straightened out. Free pasta dinner was nice, but should be either in a bigger space or have designated seating times... early crowd in fitness/rehab area had people eating on the floor or pieces of equipment. Devout carnivores might mutter about no-meat sauce. Parking and start/finish logistics are great. Start area could be better organized to get people in line in right directions. Relatedly, course maps could be improved to show aid station locations and have proper orientation/street marking of finish area. Camber of road tempted many runners to go outside of cones. Price of race and attitude of director and staff are a big plus. Some aid stations were too small or were confusing, esp. one at Ritter Park. Love aid-station volunteers, but love them more when fluids are in consistent order and announced - they were often not and it was a guess who might have what fluid type. Once I had to grab my own cup off table. Decent numbers of spectators, but many were quiet for all but 'their' runner(s). Initial results posting seem somehow incorrect; knock race rating down slightly if final results aren't accurate or don't include age-group results. Great 'concept' and atmosphere, with some excellent extras, but some race basics need development or honing. Some local motorists were quite displeased with our 'obstruction.' Perhaps working with churches on awareness/what to expect race day would help community acceptance. Extensive coverage in local newspaper; TV station was at finish as well. Expo/packet pickup fine and in good location. Post-race food spread above average. Bag drop is available, even with S/F within 2 blocks of each other. Resting space and real bathrooms at start. YMCA, a short drive away, available for post-race showers. | |
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J. B. from East Tennessee
(11/15/2005)
"Good, but not great" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 After reading last years comments I was really expecting this to be an excellent race. While some aspects were wonderful, others were a bit lacking. I have done a number of small (<500 entrants) marathons and while this wasn't the worst, it certainly wasn't the best. Good things: 1) Awesome fleece jacket for early registrants. 2) Very friendly and enthusiastic race director and volunteers. 3) Good free pasta party. 4) Plentiful real bathrooms at the start. 5) Race started on time. 6) Well spaced water/gatorade stations. 7) Course was relatively flat. 8) Plenty of good food (pizza, hot dogs, etc.) at the finish. Not-so-good things: 1) Some of the water stations were self serve - including the first station! 2) You were expected to run on the shoulder of the road, which was very slanted, for a large portion of the course. 3) The course was not exactly scenic (I don't think there is much the RD could do to improve this though). 4) The course monitors could have been spread out better - there were a few spots in the last 2 miles where it was hard to tell where to go. 5) There was no post-race party atmosphere - awards were handed out as you crossed the finish and the food was right there too. This was convenient, but since it was cold and drizzling it didn't encourage anyone to hang out and celebrate. With the race as it is right now, I would only reccommend this marathon if it is convenient (nearby) and you are really just looking for a fast course. I didn't PR here, but I think the course is PR-friendly. I wouldn't reccommend this one if you are looking to have fun or make a family vacation out of it. That said, the RD seemed very enthusiastic about making this race great, so I wouldn't be suprised if he corrects some of the problems by next year. | |
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russ petelle from derby line, vermont
(11/15/2005)
"would recommend" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is an extremely fast course with excellent water stops and great volunteer participation. Really enjoyed the bluegrass music at the Mountaineer Opry House the night before the marathon. Probably could use some shuttle buses from the hotel to the start and back. Highly recommend. | |
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K. E. from North Carolina
(11/15/2005)
"Great organization, great course!" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The organization for this marathon was outstanding. The course was extremely well-marked with lots of orange cones, mile markers, and volunteers and/or police at every turn along the course. At every water stop the volunteers had both water and Gatorade in hand and asked which you wanted as you approached, so that you could just reach out and take it from their hand and keep going. The race director was very enthusiastic, answering all questions and going over a large map of the course at the expo. He also sent out a couple of e-mails as the race day neared, which I appreciated. The finish on the football field was great, and it was a very nice touch to carry a football at the finish. I would highly recommend this marathon. | |
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J. P. from the midwest
(11/15/2005)
"Thanks Dr. Tom" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 If you're looking for a small town fun filled atmosphere for a marathon weekend then this is it. Promises made and delivered by Dr. Tom and the race team. Flat course with a few small grades but no real hills. Must be the flattest race ever for WV. The roads are very crowned in certain areas so be aware of where you are in the lane to avoid some joint pain. Not many spectators but that's OK. Good and friendly traffic control. Very nice fleece pullover for early entrants. The locals and volunteers are working very hard to make this race something special so put this one on your race list for next year. Only suggestions and they're small ones would be to have a better map on the website of the course and the town area so out of towners could find the packet pick-up, hotels, and other local attractions a little easier. I also would like to see some chip mats and timing. A couple of people running told me they were running the back half of the race but were not part of a relay team so I'm not sure what was going on there. This race is really growing in the right direction. I didn't PR but that's OK I had a great time. Thanks again Huntington and Marshall University!! | |
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A. G. from Mathews, VA
(11/15/2005)
"Finishing in the stadium made the event." (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was a well-organized event, and I was impressed with the organizers for a relatively small race. The course was about as flat as possible for West Virginia, and taking the football and finishing at the goal line was a great idea! I also liked the nice fleece given to pre-registered runners. The only negative I have was that my recorded time was 44 seconds slower than my actual finishing time. My wife took the picture of me picking up my medal and award, and the clock on the background has a time that is still faster than they gave me. I'm not whining, but finishing times can typically be one or two seconds off, not 44. The recorded time actually would have placed me fourth in my age group (which would've meant no medal) and I would be pretty angry if I was the man with the third fastest time on the results page but wasn't given a medal. Also, there was another runner they put within four seconds of my actual time, when in reality no one was on the field behind me when I finished. Unless someone finished the last 100m in less than four seconds, they got that person's time wrong too. Overall, it was a fun race and the small touches the organizers made to make the event a success really made a difference. Post-race food was tremendous (free pizza) and the fleece and the pictures I have with the 'thundering herd' mascot are great souvenirs. Other than the timing errors, this was a great race. | |
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T. P. from Bellbrook, OH
(11/15/2005)
"Truly a marathoner-friendly marathon! " (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Excellent value for my running dollar! Entry included a nice pasta party, a great pullover fleece, a nice medal, and food at the end. Course was flat, only a few short inclines/declines to be experienced, when going under railroad tracks. Only a few scenic sessions downtown, park, Marshall University campus. The finish was excellent (running with the football to the end-zone - nice touch). Perfect number of water stops. Spectators seemed limited to these areas. Fan support was limited but those out on the course were encouraging. It seemed like a lot of 50-staters were at the race. I think an e-mail to participants identifying local pub/grub places would be great addition. Great race! Good job! | |
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J. C. from West Virginia
(11/14/2005)
"A well organized small and fast marathon" (about: 2005)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course is predominantly flat with a few small hills. It was well marked although a few of the mile markers were not easily visible. There were a lot of friendly and encouraging volunteers along the course, but other than that there were not many spectators. It seemed at times that Huntington was a ghost town. We ran through the Marshall University campus but only saw a few students. There were more than enough water stops, but some of them had what tasted like watered-down Gatorade. For a small marathon they had a lot of runners in the Boston qualifing speed range, so there were plenty of people to run with if this was your goal. The finish on the football field was unique and fun. I would definitely recommend this race to others. | |
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P. R. from NW Ohio
(11/14/2005)
"Excellent Small Marathon for 50 Staters" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Marshall University Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is a small marathon (350 or so marathon runners) that has a half-marathon, relay and walk as well. It is totally run in town. It only has short rises and falls (mostly down and ups through underpasses...and one real hill that was short). It is NOT a chip-timed marathon, but you are over the starting line in less than 5 seconds. It is a Boston qualifier and there were folks that qualified yesterday. I registered before the Sept deadline for the fleece pullover. WOW...what a great pullover! That one goes for MORE than the $40 entry fee when purchased retail. What an incentive to register early. The fee included a good pasta dinner, as well. Excellent parking outside of the stadium so getting to the car after the marathon was simple. Only 6 porta-johns in the parking lot but no waiting. And they did have the stadium open to use those bathrooms as well. The starting line was 2 blocks down the street. For a small marathon, the folks in Huntington are all heart. There aren't any big crowds however, the traffic control and the course support at the water/gatorade stations was super. Everyone had a smile, were ready with water in one hand and gatorade in the other. The route was picturesque for the most part. They have to plan around the traffic patterns of the city but keep the route interesting for the runners, as well. This route does come back on itsself, bringing runners through some of the same areas a couple of times before coming directly into town, the Marshall University Campus and the Marshall Stadium. I'm sure some would complain about that as monotonous 'back and forth, been here already, how many times will we revisit this area?' However, for the size of the marathon and being away from traffic, I was very happy with the lay-out. The finish is in the Marshall University football stadium. The decline into the stadium was a little tough at 26.1 but grabbing a football and running down field to the goal line is definitely a cool touch. It really made me run faster! They announce everyone as they are coming in and taking on that last 100 yards. AND, since I measure every marathon by the food at the finishline, these guys get an A+++. After taking the feed bag off, Huntington had opened up the YMCA to the out-of-town, out-of-motel room marathoners (like me) to use the facility for showers. Again, I was met by the nicest people in a clean facility with hot water, clean showers complete with soap and towels. It made our 4 1/2 hour drive home so much more pleasant. Bottomline, if you like small marathons, you're a 50 Stater, you like small town charm in a midsized metropolitan area, Huntington will provide it all. |
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